Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island

In 2007, CorpU Senior Consultants met with the ten top executives at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island during a series of on-site analysis sessions. Like many of the “Blue’s,” the Rhode Island clients were facing new competition that requires a stronger focus on customer service, relationship management, sales and marketing, and lean operating principles. As a result the client was looking for a corporate university strategy that would allow them to utilize only their current employees, operate within a limited budget, and address each of their unique needs. CorpU worked with the leaders of the organization to design a comprehensive blue print for the development and implementation of a corporate university.

SABIC

CorpU provided strategic consulting services to help SABIC's CEO and senior executive team build the business case for SABICLearning, a new organization designed to align all learning activities across the company. After advising SABIC on governance structure and helping with the internal selection of a new Chief Learning Officer, the CorpU team worked for over 18 months to develop comprehensive curricula in five strategic areas. The CorpU team also helped develop a Learning Management System for 18,000+ employees, as well as a state-of-the-art knowledge management system. SABICLearning is gaining recognition across the company for producing business results and as a result, senior managers and top-performers are taking an active role as SABICLearning's teachers and internal customers.

Shell

CorpU provided an in-depth look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the independent learning organizations within the company, collecting data and information about 12 dimensions critical to effective learning organizations. In addition, the Shell organization was compared to other companies in the oil and gas industry and expert companies that participated in the Corporate University Xchange 8th Annual Benchmarking study. The resulting report identified organizational best practices and suggested opportunities for overall improvement.

UBS

Corporate University Xchange was part of a multi-pronged effort by this financial giant – known for its award-winning Global Leadership Academy – to determine what the future of leadership development should look like. The CorpU effort consisted of a benchmarking study of leadership, executive and high potential development and other aspects of talent management in large, global companies.

Learning Technology Infrastructure and Enterprise Assessment Strategy

CorpU developed the overall Microsoft Learning and Development assessment strategy, and designed a comprehensive, long-term plan for learning technology infrastructure. The team provided advice and guidance on LMS implementation activities, and preparation for the establishment of the Corporate University structure was also supported.

Design and Launch of Mars University

Advisors from CorpU provided insight and guidance on curriculum selection and design, enterprise learning management system implementation, and e-learning strategy. The team also held a seat on the corporate university governance board, and developed comprehensive guidebooks and templates for funding, measurement and assessment, global language strategies, communities of practice, marketing and communications. CorpU experts provided high-level project management support for enterprise deployment of an LMS, and established a shared services organization.

Benchmarking and Strategy Development for Complex Learning Solutions

A custom survey of 30 Fortune 500 organizations with complex L&D requirements documented how leading organizations are managing changing and increasing demands for learning solutions. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed best practices for enterprise-wide learning development and delivery, leading to recommendations that HSBC is using for strategic planning.

Design and Development of Textron University

CorpU advisors provided strategic services through each phase of the design and development process, including support for Bell Helicopter, EasyGo Lawn & Garden, and others. Project areas included Current State Assessment, Benchmarking, Blueprint Design, Business Case Development, and other associated activities.

Design and Development of FDIC University

Challenged by its Chairman to build a world-class corporate university that would serve the business needs of its associates and corporate partners, FDIC employed CorpU to lead each phase of the process. Constituents of the university included all financial services firms, federal and state regulators and other groups. CorpU identified learning and development opportunities required for each employee to excel in their primary discipline. Services provided included extensive custom research and benchmarking support, facilitated strategy and design workshops, and work with FDIC teams to craft detailed project documents, executive presentations and implementation plans. Strategies were enacted to support the development of world-class leadership and executive management skills using new learning technology.

Current State Assessment, Design Blueprint, Business Case Plan

The need for new hire retention and a greater ability to provide integrated solutions to clients required the improvement of asset efficiencies such as technology, common processes, and central infrastructure. The CorpU assessment and solution plan led to executive approval of the Owens Corning University strategy and budget. This included an improved sales curriculum, new leadership programs, an e-learning strategy and more efficient utilization of resources in the delivery of training and development programs.

Design and Launch of Air Products University

CorpU advisors helped the training team obtain full support for the creation and implementation process, including the design of a shared services organization to reduce current L&D costs. The team supported the design of a new training organization with position descriptions, and process design. Methods were established for achieving alignment across all APU colleges, and organizational processes and performance standards for 18 business units were developed. CorpU also designed custom portfolio management tools for optimizing learning investments.

Global Solution for Learning Best Practices

Advisors from CorpU provided benchmark data enabling FDC to assess current resource capabilities and needs. A strategy for sharing resources and a central investment model for common learning needs was then developed for areas such as e-learning, vendor procurement/management, leadership development and other training needs. The team also assisted in the launch of a global vendor database to reduce the cost of outsourcing and procurement and a collaborative workspace/knowledge management system for sharing learning best practices.

Leadership Academy Design and Development

An in-depth, custom analysis of current leadership development practices was conducted, and the Corporate University Xchange Leadership Development Core Organization Process model was then implemented. Atlantis is now focused on developing leaders in order to support their growth requirements, and integrated leadership development activities are creating core processes that will improve the organization’s competencies.

Design and Launch of Sutter Leadership Institute and Sutter University

CorpU provided workshops and Leadership Academy design services as part of an executive-led mandate to develop and retain leaders. This included facilitating the capture and exchange of best practice knowledge among leaders throughout Sutter’s healthcare network, and creating a forum for building a common corporate culture. The resulting operations are run like a business, and provide leadership development services while taking advantage of the cost savings produced by a strategically aligned corporate university.

Assessment of Resources and Strategic Design

CorpU provided a baseline for use in the consolidation of both internal and external training functions through the creation of integrated services that were aligned for the profitable support of core business goals. An e-learning initiative and multiple curricula programs were also launched through a common infrastructure and resource base.

In-depth Assessment of Global Leadership Courses

More than 500 CARE leaders around the world were surveyed in order to collect quantitative data on the impact and value of leadership courses. Interviews were also conducted with 50 organization heads to gather supporting qualitative feedback and to create success case profiles. A comprehensive report and white paper were produced focusing on best practices and strategies for continuous improvement.